Toothbrush



March 26, 1929n M mmm@ Mmmm TOOTHBRUSH Filed (Jo-bI 1.0, 1927 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. `26, 1929. l

y UNITED STATES ABRAHAM GoLnBEae, or NEW Yonx, N. Y.

'roo'rmmusir Applugttion filed October 10, 1927. Serial No. 225,283.

This invention relates to improvements in tooth brushes and has particular reference to a combined tooth brush-and massage device. The primary object of the invention resides in a massage device embodied in a novel form of tooth brush by which the gums of the human mouth may be massaged during the brushing of the teeth to stimulate the tissues thereof,and keep the .same in a healthy condition.v

Another object ot the invention is to pro. vide a combined tooth brush and massage dek vice which cleans and massages both the4 front, back and crown of the teeth and gums simultaneously by a single operation.

A further object is the provision of a tooth y brush having a brush head of U-shape in cross section, the bottom side edges of the head having removable massage velements whereby the same may be replaced when worn or other massaging applicators such as cotton or gauze may be substituted.

A still further object is to construct a combined tooth brush and massage device which is simple of construction, inexpensive of man ufacture, and easy and thorough in use.v

vWith these and other objects in View, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, Athe essential Vfeatures of which are hereinafter fully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which 4 Figure 1 is a perspective view of my combined tooth brush and massage device.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view therethrough. Figure 3. is a vertical transverse sectioiial v view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of the massage element.

Fi ure 5 is a fragmentary perspective-view showlng a modied form of massage element.

Referring to the drawing by reference charbined tooth brush and assage device in its entirety which includ s a Ushaped head or brush back 11 from which a handle 12 extends. The brush back and handle are formed of the same materialsuch as celluloid,bone,hard,rubber or the like. However,thehandle andbrush i back may be of different materials suitably joined together without in any way departing from the spirit of my invention. The brush 5 back supports inwardly extendin bristles 13 which define a U-shaped passage or the teeth acters, the numeral 10 designates my com-4V during the'brushino` of the same. 'Ihe brush back may be provided with suitable openings 14 which open on opposite sides thereof to allow for the circulation of air through the bristles to ventilate the same to keep them in a sanitary condition and for drying.

The free edges of the side Walls of the brush head are curved yslightly inward and enlarged in thickness as at 15, and have round recesses 16 opening onto the outer edge and extending the full length of the brush head. Seatedin the round recesses 16 are the longitudinal circular heads 17 of yieldable massage elements 1S. The free surfaces of the massage elements are undulated as at 19 and which constitutes the massage surfaces of the elements.` The same extendl inwardly of the inner side walls .of the brush head to protect the gums from injury thereby.

In use, the brush is applied over t-he teeth so that the teeth are received in the passage defined by the bristles, whereupon the'user proceeds to reciprocate the same in the customary manner. By reason of the shape of the' brushboth sides of the teeth are cleansed simultaneously as are the outer bights of the teeth. During the brushing operation, the massage elements 18 engage theoppo'site sides of the gums at their joinder with the teeth which massage action keeps the gum line clean and healthy and has a tendency to prevent and cure diseases of the gums. v

Should the massage elements 18f become worn or lse their flexibility, the same may be removed by sliding them longitudinallyfrom the recesses 16 and new ones substituted therefor. The frictionbetween the massage elements and the brush headprevents accidental shifting of the massage elements during the massaging operation.

In Figure 50i the drawing, I have shown wad 20 may beseated in the recesses `16 in lieu ofthe massage elements 18. These wads are commonly used in the dental profession teeth. It is a common habit for persons to neglect the massage of the gulns as it requires additional time and a separate massage dea slightly modified form wherein a cotton` p .and are exceptionally inexpensive so that vice other than a' tooth brush. By the se of my article,rthe teeth and gums may be kept in a healthy condition.

While I have described what I deem to. be the most desirable embodiment of my invention, it is obvious that many of the details may be varied without in any way departing from the 'spirit of my invention, and I therefore do not..limit myself to the exact details of construction herein set forth -nor to anything less than the whole of my invention limited only bythe appended claims.

What is claimed as new is l. A. tooth brush comprising a U-shape head having grooves provided in its free longitudinal edges, inwardly extending bristles on said head and yieldable massage elements provided with ribs for reception in the respective grooves.

20 2. In combination with a tooth brush having a U-slape head, inwardly extending bristles on said head, and inwardly extending yieldable massage strips carried by said head along the longitudinal edges thereof.

3. A tooth brush comprising a head of U- shape in cross section having a manipulating handle extending therefrom, bristles extending inwardly from the` inner walls of said head, the l'free ends of the bristles carried by ABRAHM GOLDBERG. 

